Moscow: A Russian armament factory has begun working on a new design for an armoured repair and evacuation vehicle for the Indian Army to be used in difficult terrain.

The vehicle, which would be able to evacuate people, machinery and cargo from places difficult to access, is being developed by Uralvagonzavod, which supplied 124 sophisticated T-90S tanks to the Indian Army in 2001-2002, Russia's Itar-Tass news agency reported today (Nov 12).

Boris Mineyev, chief of the plant of Uralvagonzavod based in Nizhny Tagil, said the Russian company had first offered India the evacuation vehicle based on the design of T-72 tanks, which are in operation with the Indian Army.

"This vehicle is so strong that it can tow two T-90S tanks with stuck caterpillar, but the Indian partners are interested in a unified model, and our specialists are working on a new design," Mineyev said.

Uralvagonzavod is now supplying to India parts for assembly of 186 tanks, the news agency said.

PTI